Switch-point lock.



Patented Nov. 30, 1909.

J M SHAUL SWITCH POINT LOCK.

APPLIOATION FILED MT. 15, 1908.

mnntoz wilmou UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. SHAUL, 0F LANSING, MICHIGAN.

SWITCH-POINT LOCK.

10 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES M. SHAUL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lansing, in the county of Ingham and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch Point Locks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention is an improved looking or tension device for holding a switch point in either of its two positions so that it cannot shift after the wheels of the front truck of a car have passed it and before the wheels of the rear truck reach it.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and practical device of this character which may be readily used in connection with ordinary switch points and which will be effective in accomplishing its intended purpose.

WVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel features of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a plan view of a switch point showing the application of the invention thereto, the cover of the box or casing containing the invention being removed and the switch point being shown in its two positions in full and dotted lines; and Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views taken, respectively, 011 the planes indicated by the lines 22 and 33 in Fig. 1.

In the drawings 1 denotes the track rails, 2 the switch point which is pivoted at 3 and 4. denotes a box or casing containing the tension or locking device for the switch point. Said casing a is preferably of rectangular shape and arranged to one side of the track rails and it is provided with a removable top or cover 5 to permit of ready access to the parts within.

6 denotes a rocking or oscillatory member which is in the form of a loop or open link pivoted intermediate its ends at 7 and connected at one end by a rod 8 to the switch point or tongue 2. Arranged upon the rocking member or link 6 is a sliding member 9 to which is connected one end of a coil spring 10. The latter tends to pull the member 9 to either extremity of the link 6 and thereby keeps the latter constantly under tension for the purpose of maintaining the switch point Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 15, 1908.

such dotted line position.

Patented Nov. 30, 1909.

Serial No. 457,887.

in either of its two positions. Said link 6 is formed with a longitudinal slot 12 which is preferably curved slightly from end to end and one wall 13 of said slot is preferably angular or V-shaped in cross section to be engaged by a grooved roller 1 1 arranged between the spaced arms of the sliding member 9, which latter is substantially U-shaped. The curved shape of the slot 12 and the pro vision of the roller 14 cause said slide or slidable member 9 to shift easily from one end to the other of said slot when the point 2 is thrown. One end of the spring 10 is engaged with the member 9 and its other end is attached to an adjusting screw 15 by means of which its tension may be regulated. The pivot 7 is preferably in the form of a stud fixed to the bottom of the casing 4t and adapted to enter an apertured ear or lug formed centrally on the member or link 6, as shown. The connecting rod or link 8 is pivotally connected at its ends to the bottom of the switch point and to one end of the link or member 6, as more clearly shown in Fig. 2.

In operation, it will be seen that when the point 2 is shifted the rod 8 will cause the rocking member or link 6 to also shift from one to the other of its two positions shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 1. When in its full line position the roller 1% will be located in one end of the slot 12 and the spring 10 will exert its energy to hold said member 6 in such position and consequently to hold the switch point against movement; and when the latter is thrown to its dotted line position the member 6 will be rocked to the dotted line position and the roller 14 will shift to the opposite end of the slot 12 and the spring 10 will again exert its tension to hold both the member 6 and the point 2 in It will be seen therefore that the tension lock or device is double acting and will effectively maintain the switch point in either of its two positions so that it cannot possibly shift while the wheels of a car or train are passing it.

Vhile the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described in detail, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction set forth and that various changes in the form, proportion and minor details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

The hereindescribed switch point lock comprising, in combination, a track rail, a pivoted switch point, a casing extending laterally from said rail and having a removable top, a vertical pivot stud secured in the bottom of the casing, an oscillatory link having an elongated opening with one of its walls beveled in opposite directions, the opposite side of said link being formed with an integral pivot lug arranged on said pivot stud, a link connecting one end of said oscillatory link to said switch point, a U-shaped member to travel longitudinally of said link and adapted to receive the same, the closed end of said member being formed with an apertured lug, a journal pin arranged in the other end of said member and extending through the elongated opening in the oscillatory link, an anti-friction roller arranged on said journal pin and having its periphery of V-s11ape in cross section to receive the beveled wall of the opening in the oscillatory link, an adjusting screw arranged in a threaded opening in the end wall of the casing and having an apertured end and a coil spring having its ends hooked into the apertured end of the screw and the apertured lug on said U-shaped member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. JAMES M. SHAUL. \Vitnesses JonN MGCLELLAN, Anorrm R. GARDNER. 

